Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan: Date, Live Stream, TV Info for Cricket World Cup
Neither Bangladesh nor Afghanistan will be in the eventual shake-up for Cricket World Cup glory, but both nations will be desperate to pick up a victory in their respective tournament openers.
Bangladesh have shown down the years they’re a team capable of springing a surprise and will be the big favourites coming into this match. But this Afghanistan team has been on an upward curve in recent years and will be desperate to show they belong in this kind of illustrious company.
An early win for either side here could prove to be a springboard for further encouraging results and no quarter will be given between these two proud cricketing nations. Here’s all the information you need on where to catch what should be an intriguing match-up and a closer look at both sides as they get their tournaments underway.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18
Time: 3:30 a.m.
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK)
TV Info: Sky Sports 2 (UK)
Afghanistan Looking to Impress on World Cup Debut
The popularity of cricket in Afghanistan has surged in recent years and the national team is beginning to reap the benefits of that. Indeed, while they won’t be favourites for this upcoming clash they should be confident of notching some wins in Pool A, especially when they come up against the Scottish team.
But encouragingly for Mohammed Nabi’s improving outfit, they did savour a win against Bangladesh not too long ago; an emphatic 32-run win at the 2014 Asia Cup, no less. In their last warm-up match they racked up and defended a total of 308/9 against United Arab Emirates too, a prime indication of their batting power.
Here’s a look at the best moments from that encouraging win:
Their biggest problem coming into the tournament is consistency. With players like Nabi, Usman Ghani and Samiullah Shenwari they have the requisite firepower to chase down some massive totals, but they’re just as capable of collapsing for a meagre two-figure score.
Bangladesh will be hoping to capitalise on those perennial inconsistencies. They’re a team who have much more experience when it comes to this particular tournament and although they aren’t amongst the favourites, in Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal they have some very classy players.
As we can see here courtesy of OptaJim, both men have long been major threats for Bangladesh in One-Day International cricket:
The former of the aforementioned duo in particular is a very impressive operator with both bat and ball; his coach Chandika Hathurusingha was unashamedly brash in his praise of the player heading into this particular match-up, per ESPNcricinfo.com:
"We have some world-class players. We have the No. 1 allrounder in all formats.
…
I am expecting [Shakib] to perform and take a lead role. I think you have seen him with Melbourne Renegades. He's an explosive batter who can get in and control the game. He is a very clever bowler.
"
They aren’t in great form heading into this match however. Ireland comfortably got the better of Bangladesh in their last warm-up clash and that should see Afghanistan come into this one with confidence. Their previously mentioned win in the Asia Cup should add further conviction to their hopes of notching a victory.
Afghanistan have it within them to win here, but they’re so hit-and-miss it’s a difficult one to call. The World Cup should galvanise their players however and with Bangladesh currently failing to fire on all cylinders, expect the debutants to raise their game and pick up what will be a surprise triumph.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
